May I provide my own fabric or must I purchase fabric from Design Services of Charlotte?

Yes, you may provide your own fabric. However, when purchasing fabric from other sources, inspect the fabric carefully as it is rolled from the bolt. We only guarantee fabric purchased from us to be free from flaws.

Does it matter if old fabric is not removed prior to re-upholstering a piece of furniture?

Yes, it does. Covering over old fabric causes the new fabric to slide, thereby sacrificing a crisp look and causing the new fabric to wear-out much more quickly. In addition, soiling from the old fabric can seep through padding and appear on the new fabric. Furthermore, the unsanitary aspect of covering over the old fabric speaks for itself!

Do all upholstery and custom furniture companies operate the same way?

Do not be fooled... all upholstery companies are not alike! Design Services of Charlotte completes all work in-house, while many re-upholstery companies contract your furniture to outside laborers. Your furniture and fabric remain at our facility in a secure, smoke-free environment when you come onboard with us. We welcome our customers to stop by our Charlotte, NC location and take a look as the re-upholstery process takes place. Be aware that re-upholstery is more than simply stapling a piece of fabric to a frame. Possessing an understanding of fabric texture, composition and pattern repeat is key to a good end-result. Pattern matching is extremely important to symmetry and flow.

Can I design my own piece or get a custom piece created from a picture I found in a magazine?

Absolutely! Whether it be reproducing a favorite design, creating an original, or design your own our master craftsmen are capable of most anything you can envision. Simply e-mail us a picture, or drop in with an explanation of your vision and we will work with you to bring it to life. Ask about our samples created to provide a tangible, spatial/visual of the finished piece. By offering a sample, prior to fabricating the finished piece, you will know exactly what to expect when your custom made furniture is installed. Samples allow for revisions when necessary which are often made during this part of the fabrication.

What if I do not live in North Carolina and want a custom piece built for my home?

Though we provide personal delivery for the local region, we commonly ship our custom-made pieces out of state. Call for pricing and shipping information.

What is the difference between a piece I purchase at a “Designer Store” and the custom furniture you?

A great deal of new furniture is currently manufactured in China. Many furniture manufacturers use inferior products in the fabrication process and, in fact, a new term has hit the furniture market as a result of such process . . . ENGINEERED WOOD. Engineered wood is nothing more than a fancy name for PRESSBOARD or PARTICLE BOARD. Are you earth friendly and GREEN minded? Purchasing furniture fabricated with engineered wood is quite an UNFRIENDLY environmental choice. These pieces cannot hold re-upholstery very well. For the most part, the fabric is the only thing holding the furniture together and much of this type of furniture ends up on curbside or in landfills. In addition to “engineered wood”, these same manufacturers also use pine, cardboard and a spring/support system called “no-sag” springs. Although in certain circumstances, no sag springs are adequate, they should NEVER be used in the seating of sofas, chairs and pieces used on a regular basis. In the fabrication of our custom furniture, we use kiln-dried hardwood, individual eight-way hand-tied springs, corner blocks, double-doweling, screws and glue. Quality is our goal. From the wood we use to build your furniture, to the thread we use to sew your fabric, and even the Dacron used to wrap your cushions, everything is first quality. In a day when many manufacturers are more concerned with the outward appearances of what they offer . . . and counting on an “uneducated consumer”, we understand the necessity to “get what you pay for” . . . quality matters. We build our furniture to last for generations. Education is your best tool when purchasing furniture!

My fabric still looks good, but the cushions are weak and lack support. Do I need to re-upholster the entire sofa or chair just to freshen up the look of my pieces?

No. One of the best ways to get more life out of your fabric is to have top quality cushion inserts. We offer custom spring down cushions or foam with Dacron wrapping as replacement for your old inserts. You will not believe the difference you will feel and see – immediately – just by replacing the inserts! We provide same-day service for foam replacements.

I have an old piece of furniture that belonged to my grandmother. Should I reupholster it or purchase new?

Old furniture is the best! If you simply desire a new design, we can often modify the frame to change the look entirely (depending upon the type of frame). However, if you are in the market to purchase new, make certain you follow the advice listed above by educating yourself with regard to furniture structure.